Lavatera plant named &#39;Red Rum&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Lavatera named ‘Red Rum’ that is characterized by a compact habit, dark stems and red flowers in terminal clusters. In combination these traits set ‘Red Rum’ apart from all other existing varieties of Lavatera known to the inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofTree Mallow, a perennial shrub with a compact habit, grown for use as anornamental landscape and accent plant. The new cultivar is knownbotanically as a Lavatera and will be referred to hereinafter by thecultivar name ‘Red Rum’.

[0002] In 1996 ‘Red Rum’ was bred by the inventor in his garden atSouthampton, United Kingdom by open pollination. ‘Red Rum’ resulted froma cross between ‘Bredon Springs’ (unpatented) and ‘Burgundy Wine’(unpatented). The traits that make ‘Red Rum’ unique are, very darkalmost black stems, a compact growth habit, the shape and color of theflowers as well as their arrangement in terminal clusters. The flowerarrangement is unlike typical Lavatera which produces individual flowersthat are arranged alternatively along the stems. The closest comparisonsare the parent plants. ‘Red rum is distinguishable from ‘Bredon Springs’by a compact habit and differs from both ‘Burgundy Wine’ and ‘BredonSprings’ in its darker flower color and shorter height. The flower colorof ‘Red Rum’ is nearer to red than any other Lavatera known to theinventor.

[0003] ‘Red Rum’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in 1996in Southampton, United Kingdom using cuttings. Since that time, undercareful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have beendetermined stable and uniform in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of thenew Lavatera cultivar ‘Red Rum’. In combination these traits set ‘RedRum’ apart from all other existing varieties of Lavatera known to theinventor. ‘Red Rum’ has not been tested under all possible conditionsand phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without anyvariance in genotype.

[0005] 1. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ exhibits red flowers along the stems and interminal clusters.

[0006] 2. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ exhibits a compact growth habit.

[0007] 3. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ exhibits dark, almost black stems.

[0008] 3. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ exhibits dark, almost black stems.

[0009] 4. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ grows to 5 feet in height and 5 feet inwidth at maturity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying color photographs illustrate the distinguishingtraits of Lavatera ‘Red Rum’. The plant in the photographs is twelvemonths and was grown outdoors in Arroyo Grande, Calif. in a five-galloncontainer. The photograph on sheet 1 illustrates the entire plant in afive-gallon container from a side perspective. The photograph on sheet 2is a close-up view of the flowers and terminal cluster of buds. Allphotographs are taken using conventional techniques and although foliagecolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance,they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0011] The following is a detailed description of the Lavatera cultivarnamed ‘Red Rum’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. fromtwelve-month plants grown outdoors in five-gallon containers. Colordeterminations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies.

[0012] Botanical classification: Lavatera ‘Red Rum’.

[0013] Common name: Tree Mallow.

[0014] Use: Ornamental landscape shrub and accent plant.

[0015] Parentage: ‘Red Rum’ is a hybrid that resulted from crossing thefollowing plants:

[0016]Female.—Lavatera ‘Bredon Springs’.

[0017]Male.—Lavatera ‘Burgundy Wine’.

[0018] Vigor: Vigorous.

[0019] Growth habit: Compact.

[0020] Plant shape: Vase-shaped.

[0021] Height: 150 cm. in height.

[0022] Width: 150 cm. in width.

[0023] Hardiness: Hardy to 8.5° Centigrade.

[0024] Propagation: Cuttings.

[0025] Cultural requirements: Plant in full sun and well-drained soils.

[0026] Type: Perennial.

[0027] Time to initiate roots: Requires 14-28 days to produce roots onan initial cutting.

[0028] Crop time: Requires 9 months to produce a five-gallon containerfrom a rooted cutting.

[0029] Seasonal interest: Flowers in summer.

[0030] Stem:

[0031]Branching habit.—Upright branching.

[0032]Stem diameter.—0.75 cm.

[0033]Stem length.—90 cm. in length.

[0034]Stem width.—0.75 cm. in width.

[0035]Internode length.—4-6 cm. between nodes.

[0036]Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0037]Surface.—Crinite.

[0038]Branch color.—200B.

[0039] Foliage:

[0040]Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.

[0041]Leaf division.—Simple.

[0042]Leaf margin.—Crenate.

[0043]Leaf shape.—Tripartite.

[0044]Leaf base.—Cordate.

[0045]Leaf apex.—Acute.

[0046]Leaf venation.—Palmate with the veins on the adaxial surfacedepressed and the veins on the abaxial surface protruding.

[0047]Vein color (adaxial surface).—189A.

[0048]Vein color (abaxial surface).—Central vein is 187A and all othersare 191 C.

[0049]Leaf surface (adaxial).—Pubescent.

[0050]Leaf surface (abaxial).—Mostly pubescent with veins lanate.

[0051]Leaf texture.—Velutinous.

[0052]Leaf attachment.—Long-petiolate.

[0053]Petiole dimensions.—2 cm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0054]Petiole color.—187A.

[0055]Petiole surface.—Flocculent.

[0056]Stipules.—Absent.

[0057]Leaf length.—5.5-6 cm. in length.

[0058]Leaf width.—1.5-3.5 cm. in width.

[0059]Leaf color (adaxial surface).—146A.

[0060]Leaf color (abaxial surface).—191A.

[0061]Foliar fragrance.—Absent.

[0062] Flower:

[0063]Sexuality.—Bisexual and synoecious.

[0064]Flower arrangement.—Alternate and clustered.

[0065]Form.—Raceme.

[0066]Inflorescence.—Indeterminate.

[0067]Flower appearance.—Laevigate.

[0068]Dimensions of panicle.—17 cm. in length and 7 cm. in width.

[0069]Quantity of flowers per stem.—Approximately 20-25 flowers perstem.

[0070]Shape of flower.—Rotate and forming a shallow cupule.

[0071]Flower markings.—Darker red veins running length of petals.

[0072]Symmetry.—Symmetrical.

[0073]Dimensions of flower.—1.75 cm. in height and 6.5 cm. in diameter.

[0074]Aspect.—Facing outward.

[0075]Color of flower petal.—A combination of overall color effect 72Aand darker

[0076]veins of 71A.

[0077]Petals.—Five in number.

[0078]Petal shape and arrangement.—Shape is obdeloid with petalsoverlapping.

[0079]Petal length.—2.75 cm in length.

[0080]Petal width.—2.75 m in width.

[0081]Unfused or fused.—Petals are unfused in relationship to oneanother but adnate to the stamen column.

[0082]Petal surface.—Furrows along dark veins.

[0083]Bud color.—72A.

[0084]Bud shape.—Oval.

[0085]Bud dimensions.—1.75 cm. in length and 1.25 cm. in diameter.

[0086]Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.

[0087]Shape of calyx.—Campanulate.

[0088]Color of calyx.—144A.

[0089]Dimensions of calyx.—1.5 mm. in diameter and 1.75 mm. in length.

[0090]Shape of epicalyx.—Campanulate.

[0091]Number of sepals in epicalyx.—Three sepals in epicalyx.

[0092]Surface of calyx and epicalyx (adaxial and abaxial).—Lanate.

[0093]Number of sepals in calyx.—Five sepals in calyx.

[0094]Fused or unfused.—Sepals are basally fused in calyx and epicalyx.

[0095]Sepal color.—191A.

[0096]Dimensions of sepal.—0.50 mm. in width and 1.75 mm. in length.

[0097]Blooming period.—April to May.

[0098]Peduncle (primary).—17 to 23 cm. in length and 3 mm. in diameter.

[0099]Peduncle (secondary).—4 cm. in length and less than 1 mm. inwidth.

[0100]Color of peduncle.—144B.

[0101]Surface of peduncle.—Setose and fluted.

[0102]Fragrance.—Absent.

[0103] Reproduction organs:

[0104]Stamens.—Monodelphous.

[0105]Color of stamens.—71B.

[0106]Dimensions of stamen filament.—5 mm. in length and less than 0.25mm. in diameter.

[0107]Stamen filaments.—Intricate.

[0108]Stamen column.—Stamens and corolla are fused into a single unitcalled the stamen column.

[0109]Color of stamen column.—71B.

[0110]Dimensions of stamen column.—1.50 cm. in length and 2.75 mm. indiameter.

[0111]Surface of stamen column.—Fluted and lanate.

[0112]Shape of anther.—Crescent-shaped pouch.

[0113]Dimensions of anther.—1 mm. in length and 0.50 mm. in width.

[0114]Anther color.—72D.

[0115]Pollen color.—156A.

[0116]Pistil.—Not observable to the naked eye. The pistil is surroundedby the stamen column.

[0117]Dimensions of pistil.—Approximately 1.75 cm. in length and 2 mm.in width.

[0118]Stigma.—Exserted.

[0119]Stigma color.—71B.

[0120]Dimensions of stigma.—0.25 cm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0121]Style color.—Not observable to the naked eye.

[0122]Style.—Extends upward through stamen column.

[0123]Style dimensions.—1 cm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0124]Ovary position.—Superior

[0125]Ovary color.—155B.

[0126]Ovary dimensions.—6 mm. in diameter and 3 mm. in height.

[0127] Seed: Seed production has not been observed and is presumed to beminimal.

1. A new and distinct variety of Lavatera plant named ‘Red Rum’ asdescribed and illustrated.